Both Sides

Phil Collins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IXB
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1. Both Sides Of The Story (LP Version) 6:38 2. Can't Turn Back The Years (LP Version) 4:40 3. Everyday (LP Version) 5:43 4. I've Forgotten Everything (LP Version) 5:14 5. We're Sons Of Our Fathers (LP Version) 6:24 6. Can't Find My Way (LP Version) 5:09 7. Survivors (LP Version) 6:05 8. We Fly So Close (LP Version) 7:33 9. There's A Place For Us (LP Version) 6:52 10. We Wait And We Wonder (LP Version) 7:01 11. Please Come Out Tonight (LP Version) 5:46

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both Sides Now., March 21, 2000

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Both Sides (Audio CD)

I remember when Both Sides came out in November of 1993. The record company didn't promote it and neither did VH1 or MTV. When I listened to it, I thought this is Phil Collins at his most serious. It seems to me that Phil was trying to say something without the typical humor he uses. This cd flopped commercially and critically, the first Phil Collins cd to do so. Perhaps it is because the nature of the music is so serious. I happen to like it when an artist bares his soul, and Phil did an excellent job here. I have all of his solo cds and all of Genesis' cds as well, and I have to say that Both Sides is probably Phil's best solo cd. Sure, No Jacket Required has all the hits and is very well produced. Sure, Face Value and Hello, I Must Be Going are very good cds as well, but Both Sides touches an emotional nerve that those others do not. Listen to the intimacy Phil exudes on such songs as "Can't Turn Back The Years" and "I've Forgotten Everything." Listen to the messages imbedded in "Both Sides Of The Story" and "We're Sons Of Our Fathers." I can't think of Phil being so honest with his feelings as he is on this album. It's not the typical, uptempo Phil that most fans enjoy, it's more mature and painful. It sure is a better buy than his 1996 cd Dance Into The Light. Both Sides is a must have for any rock collector.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Phil's best works, July 1, 2002

By 

Brandon Williams (Pocatello, Idaho, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Both Sides (Audio CD)

When I first purchased Both Sides, I'll admit that I didnt care for it much, after hearing 1989's "But Seriously," Both Sides seemed to be a bit of a disappointment. But being the die-hard Phil Collins fan that I am, I just couldn't let the album collect dust. After about 5 plays, I fell in love with it, and now I view it as one of Phil's best albums, and certainly one of his most unique. Both Sides was a very personal album for Phil Collins. It contains messages of life, of love, sadness, heartbreak, and even growing old. In this way, Phil Collins truly helps us get to know the man behind the music, and that says something. Not to mention the fact that Phil played every instrument himself, and even recorded every song in the upstairs room of his house! Talk about a personal album! Phil even speaks to the listener personally in the sleeve notes of this album, and provides a description of each song's meaning under its title. In his own words:

"The reason....is to give the listener a direction or to maybe explain what the songs are about. Songs are all things to people but sometimes the wrong path is taken and the misinterpretation stays with your forever."

This personal touch really makes the listener feel as though he or she is truly part of the picture Phil has painted with this album, and the impact of that fact is incredible. Phil is indeed a real person.

Here is a description of each song an my own opinion on each one:

1. Both Sides opens with the incredible "Both Sides of the Story," a song that truly shows both sides of life, and sounds like it should have been on "But Seriously".

2. "Can't Turn Back the Years" is a song about growing old, about how we all wish we could go back and live again, but the past must remain the past.

3. "Everyday" also sounds like Both Sides material. This deeply moving song about love and heartbreak will bring tears to your eyes, it did for me. :) Definitely one of Phil's best songs ever.

4. "I've Forgotten Everything" is a slow moving song about closure, and how it sometimes can be hard to forget a past relationship..and the hurt with it. This is one of the weaker songs on Both Sides.

5. "We're Sons of our Fathers" is a good song in my opinion. Phil talks about how things have changed since he was a child, how todays youth are harder to control. The song has an excellent foundation, and could have been great if given a bit more attention.

6. "Can't Find My Way" is absolutely excellent. It carries a dark and atmospheric, In The Air Tonight-ish sound that makes for a very good song, one of the strongest on Both Sides!

7. "Survivors" is upbeat song about forgiveness, a fairly good song though not the strongest.

8. "We Fly So Close" is excellent! The song has an incredible opening that invokes images of waves crashing against a rocky shore, dark clouds and rain, which fade into the song itself. The imagery and FEEL of this song are indescribable, another In The Air Tonight-ish song, and definitely a must-hear! Buy Both Sides for this song if for nothing else!

9. "There's a Place For Us" is jazzy and slow, got a good sound to it, not strong yet not weak.

10. "We Wait and We Wonder" sounds similar to Both Sides of the Story, earlier in the album. Though not quite as good, one of the catchier and definitely one of the stronger songs on the album, I believe they even made a music video for this one.

11. "Please Come Out Tonight" gently eases the listener out of the album. The song has a gentle, melancholy mood to it, something to listen to when you are lovesick.

That said I highly recommend Both Sides to the devoted Phil Collins fan. It's a great album that will take a few listens to fully appreciate it, but once you do, you'll love it. I wouldn't recommend that the casual Phil Collins fan start with this album. Try getting his earlier works first, and then purchase Both Sides, as it is quite a departure from the radio friendly Phil that so many people know. After hearing his earlier work, it's incredible to come down to earth, relax, and get to know the man himself. Both Sides does that, and that's why it's a five-star album. You must get it. :)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Both Sides Of The Storyteller, November 7, 2001

By 

Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Both Sides (Audio CD)

Although Phil Collins popularity fizzled in the 1990's, his music remained as fresh and intimate as usual. His 1993 album Both Sides, reflects about holding on to love, and remembering the good and bad times with others, as well as breaking up with your partner. The songs are very sincere and compassionate. Each song has an story to tell. The first song Both Sides Of The Story, about an homeless child trying to get ahead in life (similar to Collins megahit Another Day In Paradise).

From D-I-V-O-R-C-E, to his split with Genesis, Both Sides forcasted the stories of Phil Collins in the 1990's. But everyday, something good will come along if you think positive. I really thought it was one of the most understanding albums I've ever heard. We always gander at one side of the story of each problem, but Both Sides shows that every side, Everyday (as in the song titled Everyday) we all go through life on more than one street. Both Sides states that constant.